This e-newsletter is for residents, businesses and organizations who have registered for project updates.
 
If you know others who should receive this regular email update, please direct them to sign up at https://www.brandnewbear.ca/
 
For questions or comments, please email the project team at BearStreet.Talk@banff.ca.

Quick Overview: the week ahead

 
Zone 1

• Traffic/intersection – open
• Parking – closed
• Pedestrian access – open

• Traffic – closed
• Parking – closed
• Pedestrian access – open on temporary pathways
• Parkade – limited access with intermittent closures
• Laydown area (surface parking lot) – restricted to construction crews

• Traffic – closed
• Parking – closed
• Pedestrian access – intermittent closures, access disruptions, temporary pathways
• Parkades – intermittent closures
• Laydown area (surface parking lot) – restricted to construction crews
• Activity – demolition of sidewalks and road; Utility and foundation inspections

• Traffic/intersection – closed
• Parking – closed
• Pedestrian access – intermittent closures, temporary pathways
• Activities – demolition of sidewalks and road surface

Construction Activity: May 31 - June 5

• On-street parking is closed from Wolf Street to Caribou Street for safety reasons and schedule efficiency reasons. This situation will remain until the project is complete.
• The road is closed to vehicular traffic for safety and to help accelerate the project.
• Remaining infrastructure, such as street poles, benches, bicycle racks and street furniture will be removed.
• Roadway and sidewalk cutting will continue through the week.
• Fencing encompasses the Wolf Street intersection and a few areas throughout the project area.
• Caribou intersection is open to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
• Wolf Street intersection is planned to be closed until approximately June 6.
• The access to the underground parkades for the Brewster’s Mountain Lodge, Bear Street Mall and Townhouse Building will be restricted.
  • Property owners and tenants seeking alternative parking options can use public parking listed at banffparking.ca or private parking in the Cascade Shops parkade
    (contact Martin Halliday, cell: 403-804-9400).
• The replacement of the underground utilities in the street and to properties is planned to start on June 1 with preparations at the Caribou Street intersection. Activity will include delivery of pipes and preparing temporary water services. The excavation is planned to start in the week of June 8. Caribou Street intersection is planned to be closed for a few weeks to allow the replacement of the water and waste water pipes.
• Temporary potable water servicing will be provided to every building needing it. Water services will be disconnected only after notification of property owners, who will inform tenants. Intermittent service disruption may occur.
• One additional crew will be deployed to help accelerate the project.
• Security lighting is in place. Extra caution should be used if the public needs to access the area at night.

• Expect road closures, sidewalk detours, vibrations, noise and dust.

• Website BrandNewBear.ca continues to be updated with project information and a presentation on the project. All reopened businesses and services will be highlighted on the site in the coming days. 

Assistance for businesses and services reopening 

Businesses and services must put in place physical distancing controls and other health measures, before they can reopen. Alberta Health Services (AHS) is actively monitoring businesses, services and public activities to ensure AHS guidelines are being followed. The following guides and assistance are being provided to all enterprises:

• Access the most up-to-date resources, reopening guidelines: https://banff.ca/Covidbusiness#Help and 
• https://www.banfflakelouise.com/members/reopening-guidelines
• Businesses are being offered weekly zoom meetings and access an interactive workspace by Banff & Lake Louise Tourism and the Banff & Lake Louise Hospitality Association (wanda@bllha.ca).
• The Alberta Biz Connect website outlines requirements for businesses allowed to reopen: https://www.alberta.ca/biz-connect.aspx

Businesses asked to showcase safety measures

All businesses in Banff are being encouraged to showcase their measures to keep staff and customers safe when reopening. The Government of Alberta template helps owners and managers identify areas to identify protocols: Template: Relaunch considerations for businesses.

Banff Avenue closure to affect Bear Street

On May 25, Banff Town Council directed administration to close the 100 and 200 blocks of Banff Avenue to vehicle traffic from June 5 to early September. The creation of the pedestrian zone will provide additional space for pedestrians to maintain 2-metre distancing requirements.
 
The full closure to vehicles will include closure of Caribou Street between Bear Street and the alley on the east side of Banff Avenue. Wolf Street will remain open.
 
Flaggers on Norquay Road and Banff Avenue will direct day visitors to park at the Fenlands and the Train Station Public Parking, where signage will direct preferred routes to the downtown and Bear Street.
 
The Town of Banff is working with businesses on Banff Avenue about access to space in the pedestrian zone in front of their businesses. The Town is also going to establish kiosks for ambassadors to help direct Banff Avenue visitors to Bear Street. 

Bear Street Reconstruction Project Team:

• Pierre-Hugues “PH” Gagnon, Bear Street Project Manager
• Marie-Eve Jackson, Community Liaison Officer (for businesses, employees and residents)
• Rick Williams, Business Liaison Officer (for property owners)
•  Janice Carson, Senior Communications Specialist
• Darren Enns, Director of Planning and Development
• Adrian Field, Director of Engineering

 
For questions and comments about the Bear Street Reconstruction project, please email bearstreettalk@banff.ca.